Florham Park, NJ— Alex Napoliello reports in The Star-Ledger/NJ.com that Gov. Chris Christie and medical officials gathered Tuesday for a ceremonial groundbreaking of a new medical center that will expand cancer care in the state.

Expected to open in 2018, the Summit Medical Group's new MD Anderson Cancer Center in Florham Park is an extension of the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

Christie said the new center is indicative of the growth of health care around the state, especially in the aftermath of the merger between UMDNJ and Rutgers University.

“I am proud of the fact that New Jersey will continue to be a leader in the provision of medicine and healthcare for the entire nation, not just for our citizens,” Christie said.

George Norcross, who is the chairman of the Board of Trustees for Cooper Health Center, said cancer care in New Jersey is growing because people are no longer traveling out of state to get the treatment they need.

​“When you bring the No. 1 cancer center program to the state of New Jersey, people want cures, they want the best,” Norcross said. “And this partnership with Summit Medical ... is going to give cancer care comprehensively to everyone in the state.”

The 130,000 square-foot facility, which is being developed by the Rockefeller Group, is located at The Green at Florham Park.

Along with Summit Medical Group, the 268-acre campus is also home to the New York Jets and BASF's North American Headquarters.